U.S. patent application number 16/598242 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for magnetic catch for plunger lift.
The applicant listed for this patent is PCS Ferguson, Inc.. Invention is credited to PAUL T. ROBERTS, CHRISTOPHER A. VELASQUEZ.
Application Number | 20200116303 16/598242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70161085 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200116303 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ROBERTS; PAUL T. ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
MAGNETIC CATCH FOR PLUNGER LIFT
Abstract
Provided herein, is magnetic catch assembly that may be utilized
with and/or incorporated into lubricator of a wellhead. The
magnetic catch assembly permits maintaining a plunger within the
lubricator without requiring any moving mechanical components.
Inventors: |
ROBERTS; PAUL T.;
(FREDERICK, CO) ; VELASQUEZ; CHRISTOPHER A.;
(FARMINGTON, NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PCS Ferguson, Inc. |
Frederick |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70161085 |
Appl. No.: |
16/598242 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62743689 |
Oct 10, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16N 29/02 20130101;
E21B 43/121 20130101; E21B 43/13 20200501 |
International
Class: |
F16N 29/02 20060101
F16N029/02; E21B 43/12 20060101 E21B043/12 |
Claims
1. A lubricator system for use at a well head of a hydrocarbon
well, the lubricator assembly comprising: a receiving tube having
an upper end an open lower end and a hollow interior, the open
lower end and hollow interior sized to receive a plunger from
production tubing disposed below the receiving tube; and an
electromagnet associated with the receiving tube, the electromagnet
configured to controllably generate a magnetic field within the
receiving tube to prevent said plunger from falling into the
production tubing when disposed in the magnetic field.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a shock absorber
assembly mountable above the receiving tube.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet comprises: a
coil of wires disposed around an outside surface of the receiving
tube over a portion of a length of the receiving tube.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet comprises: one
or more electromagnets and cores disposed about a surface of the
receiving tube.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electromagnet comprises: a
tubular element disposed in-line with the receiving tube.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a controller; and an
arrival sensor.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller is operative to
selectively connect the electromagnet to a power source and
disconnect the electromagnet from the power source.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller selectively
connects and disconnects the electromagnet based at least in part
on signals from the arrival sensor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/743,689, filed Oct. 10, 2018, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure broadly relates to a plunger lift
apparatus for hydrocarbon wells. More specifically the disclosure
is directed to a catch assembly that, at the surface, receives a
plunger from production tubing, holds the plunger, and releases the
plunger into the production tubing. In an embodiment, the catch
assembly utilizes an electromagnet capture and hold the
plunger.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A plunger lift is an apparatus that can be used to increase
the productivity of oil and gas wells. In the early stages of a
well's life, liquid loading may not be a problem. When production
rates are high, well liquids are typically carried out of the well
tubing by high velocity gas. As a well declines and production
decreases, a critical velocity is reached wherein heavier liquids
may not make it to the surface and start falling back to the bottom
of the well exerting pressure on the formation, thus loading up the
well. As a result, the gas being produced by the formation can no
longer carry the liquid being produced to the surface. As gas flow
rate and pressures decline in a well, lifting efficiency can
decline substantially.
[0004] A plunger lift system can act to remove accumulated liquid
in a well. That is, a plunger lift may unload a gas well and, in
some instances, unload the gas well without interrupting
production. A plunger lift system utilizes gas present within the
well as a system driver. A plunger lift system works by cycling a
plunger into and out of the well. During a cycle, a plunger
typically descends to the bottom of a well passing through fluids
within the well. Once the liquids are above the plunger, these
liquids may be picked up or lifted by the plunger and brought to
the surface, thus removing most or all liquids in the production
tubing. The gas below the plunger will push both the plunger and
the liquid on top of the plunger to the surface completing the
plunger cycle. As liquid is removed from the tubing bore, an
otherwise impeded volume of gas can begin to flow from a producing
well. The plunger can also keep the tubing free of paraffin, salt
or scale build-up.
SUMMARY
[0005] Provided herein, is magnetic catch assembly that may be
utilized with and/or incorporated into lubricator of a wellhead.
The magnetic catch assembly permits maintaining a plunger within
the lubricator without requiring any moving mechanical
components.
[0006] In an arrangement, the magnetic catch assembly is an
electromagnet that is activated to generate a magnetic field to
capture and hold a plunger and deactivated to release the
plunger.
[0007] In an arrangement, the electromagnet applies the magnetic
field to a receiving tube of a lubricator. In a further
arrangement, a portion of the receiving tube forms a core of the
electromagnet.
[0008] In an arrangement, the electromagnet is activated in
response to an arrival sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary plunger lift system
installation.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary plunger
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional catch assembly.
[0012] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an electromagnetic catch assembly
incorporated into a lubricator during plunger arrival, plunger
hold, and plunger release, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
which at least assist in illustrating the various pertinent
features of the presented inventions. The following description is
presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not
intended to limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein.
Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the
following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art,
are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments
described herein are further intended to explain the best modes
known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in
the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and
with various modifications required by the particular
application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions.
[0014] A typical installation plunger lift system 50 can be seen in
FIG. 1. The system includes what is termed a wellhead assembly or
lubricator assembly 10 disposed on the surface above a well bore
including casing 8 and production tubing 9. The lubricator assembly
10 is operative to receive a plunger 100 from the production tubing
9 and release the plunger 100 into the production tubing 9 to
remove fluids (e.g., liquids) from the well. Fluid accumulating
above of the plunger 100 at the bottom of the well may be carried
to the top of the well by the plunger 100. Specifically, after
passing though the liquids at the bottom of the well, gasses
accumulate under the plunger and lift the plunger and the fluid
above the plunger to the surface. The lubricator assembly 10
typically controls the cycling of the plunger into and out of the
well. In the illustrated embodiment, the lubricator assembly 10
includes a cap 1, top bumper spring 2, striking pad 3, and a
receiving tube 4, which is aligned with the production tubing.
[0015] In some embodiments, the lubricator assembly 10 contains a
plunger auto catching device or catcher 5 and/or a plunger sensing
device 6. The sensing device 6 sends a signal to a surface
controller 15 upon plunger 100 arrival at the top of the well
and/or dispatch of the plunger 100 into the well. One embodiment of
such a sensor is set forth in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,850,746, the
entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. The
controller 15 may activate and/or deactivate the catcher 5 to
capture, hold and/or release the plunger. Once received at the
surface, the plunger may be immediately dispatched back into the
well or held until a subsequent plunger cycle time.
[0016] When utilized, the output of the sensing device 6 may be
used as a programming input to achieve the desired well production,
flow times and wellhead operating pressures. A master valve 7
allows for opening and closing the well. Typically, the master
valve 7 has a full bore opening equal to the production tubing 9
size to allow passage of the plunger 100 there through. The bottom
of the well is typically equipped with a seating nipple/tubing stop
12. A spring standing valve/bottom hole bumper assembly 11 may also
be located near the tubing bottom. The bumper spring is located
above the standing valve and can be manufactured as an integral
part of the standing valve or as a separate component of the
plunger system.
[0017] Surface control equipment usually consists of motor valve(s)
14, sensors 6, pressure recorders 16, etc., and an electronic
controller 15 which opens and closes the well at the surface. Well
flow `F` proceeds downstream when surface controller 15 opens well
head flow valves. Controllers operate based on time, or pressure,
to open or close the surface valves based on operator-determined
requirements for production. Alternatively, controllers may fully
automate the production process.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates one non-limiting embodiment of a plunger
100. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 10 is defined by a
generally cylindrical body section having a sidewall with a
repeating series of grooves and detents (e.g., rings 112) where the
rings are sized to create a seal with the interior surface of
production tubing. Plungers can be designed with various sidewall
or sleeve geometries and a plunger with any such sidewall
geometries may be utilized.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the catcher 5 is typically integrated
into the receiving tube 4 of the lubricator. The catcher 5
typically engages the body section of the plunger. FIG. 2
illustrates a conventional design of a catcher 5. In such an
embodiment, for example, the catcher 5 has a biased ball 46 that
can engage the body of the plunger 100 and hold it. For example,
the ball 46 can engage in grooves or detents of the cylindrical
body section of the plunger 100 or in some other suitable profile
or shoulder. Typically, the catcher 5 is automated such that the
catcher 5 can automatically catch the plunger 100 when it arrives
at the surface during a lift cycle. The sensor 6 sensor can be used
to detect the plunger's arrival if necessary.
[0020] For such an automated catcher 5, a spring and piston
arrangement 48 can bias the ball 46 using compressed gas from a
source controlled by the controller. The pressure can be applied to
the spring and piston arrangement 48 using any appropriate device.
With pressure applied, the ball 46 forces into the lubricator's
pathway so the ball 46 can engage the plunger 100. The controller
can release gas pressure from the spring and piston arrangement 48.
At this point, the weight of the plunger 100 can push the ball 46
out of the way so the plunger 100 is free to fall into the well.
Other means for biasing the ball (electric actuators) may be used
as well.
[0021] While providing an effective means for securing a plunger at
a wellhead (e.g., within a lubricator), the use of a catcher that
extends into and retracts from the interior of the receiving tube 4
provides a point of entry into the generally pressurized wellhead
assembly. Accordingly, such catchers require various seals to
prevent leakage. However, such seals are prone to wear and require
periodic maintenance. Stated otherwise, such catchers provide a
potential point of leakage, which may result in environmental
contamination.
[0022] In an embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a
catcher that catches a plunger within a well head assembly (e.g.,
lubricator) without requiring any penetration through a catch or
receiving tube. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, an electromagnetic catch
assembly 60 is integrated into a receiving tube 4 of the lubricator
10. Though shown in cross-section, it will be appreciated that the
electromagnetic catch assembly may encircle the catch tube 4. In
the illustrated embodiment, the catch assembly 60 includes an
electromagnet 62 that generates a magnetic field 80 in response to
an electric current provided to the electromagnet 62 via a
connection 64 to an electrical power source (not shown). The
magnetic field disappears when the current is turned off. See,
e.g., FIG. 4C. The controller (e.g., see FIG. 1) may activate and
deactivate the electromagnet 62. That is, the controller may
control the supply of electric current to the electromagnet.
[0023] Electromagnets usually consist of wire or cable wound into a
coil. A current through the wire/cable creates a magnetic field
which is concentrated in the center of the coil. The wire turns are
often wound around a magnetic core made from a ferromagnetic
material such as iron. In an embodiment, the electromagnet 62 may
be defined by coiling a wire/cable around the ferromagnetic
receiving tube 4 such that the receiving tube is the core of the
electromagnet 62. In other embodiments, one or more electromagnets
(e.g., having separate cores) may be applied around the periphery
of the receiving tube. In a further embodiment, the catch assembly
may be formed of a short length of tubing having a matching size of
the receiving tube. In such an arrangement, the receiving tube and
catch assembly may be connected (e.g., via matching flanges, etc.).
In any embodiment, the magnetic field of the electromagnet 62 can
be quickly changed by controlling the amount of electric current in
the winding.
[0024] FIG. 4A illustrates a lubricator 10 incorporating a magnetic
catch assembly 60 during plunger arrival. As shown, and incoming
plunger 100 is identified by the sensor 6 which sends a signal to
the controller (not shown). The controller activates electromagnet
62 to generate the magnetic field 80. As shown in FIG. 4B the
plunger 100 continues into the lubricator until it strikes the
striking pad 3. At this time, the plunger 100, which is necessarily
a ferromagnetic plunger for use in the presented system, is within
the magnetic field 80. Once disposed within the magnetic field 80,
magnetic attraction between the plunger 100 and the electromagnet
maintains the plunger 100 within the lubricator 10 until the
magnetic field 80 is turned off/deactivated. In this regard, it
will be appreciated that a continuous supply of current must be
provided to maintain the magnetic field. As shown in FIG. 4C, the
controller deactivates the magnetic field which allows the plunger
100 to fall back into the production tubing.
[0025] Of note, various plunger arrival sensors utilize magnetic
sensors to identify an arriving plunger. In such an arrangement,
the controller may deactivate the plunger arrival sensor in
conjunction with the activation of the electromagnet. Such sensor
deactivation may prevent any damage to or mis-calibration of
magnetic sensors of the arrival sensor due to a large magnetic
field generated by the electromagnet. Accordingly, the arrival
sensor may be reactivated with the deactivation of the
electromagnet.
[0026] The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not
intended to limit the inventions and/or aspects of the inventions
to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and
knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the
presented inventions. The embodiments described hereinabove are
further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the
inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the
inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various
modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s)
of the presented inventions. It is intended that the appended
claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the
extent permitted by the prior art.
* * * * *